Title: LUCHA accuses the 31st brigade of the DRC armed forces of being involved in mining and logging in Mambasa
Introduction :
The citizens’ movement, Lutte pour leChange (LUCHA), recently denounced the behavior of the 31st brigade of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) deployed in Mambasa, in the province of Ituri. According to LUCHA, this brigade is accused of engaging in mining and logging instead of concentrating on its primary mission of protecting the population against the enemies of the Republic. This denunciation highlights the challenges facing the DRC in the management of its natural resources and its security.
Development :
LUCHA filed a memorandum with the administrator of Mambasa, in which it expresses its concerns about the behavior of the 31st brigade of the FARDC. According to LUCHA, the soldiers of this brigade devote their time to mining, forestry and the cocoa business, instead of concentrating on tracking down the rebels who are sowing death and desolation in the Mambasa region. This involvement in lucrative activities leads to the inefficiency of the army on the combat fronts, thus endangering the population.
The military presence in the Mambasa region was intended to halt the expansion of negative forces and strengthen security in a region rich in mineral resources, including gold. However, the involvement of the military in mining and logging compromises this objective and undermines the security of the population.
LUCHA asks the competent authorities to replace this FARDC brigade in the Mambasa region. The citizens’ movement believes that as long as the army is involved in lucrative activities, it will not be able to be effective in the fight against armed groups and threats to the population. The situation highlights the need for a profound reform of the Congolese army in order to guarantee the protection of the population and the responsible management of the country’s natural resources.
Conclusion :
The LUCHA accusation against the 31st brigade of the DRC armed forces deployed in Mambasa highlights the challenges facing the DRC in the management of its natural resources and its security. The involvement of the Congolese army in mining and logging undermines its mission to protect the population and the effectiveness of the fight against armed groups. It is essential that the competent authorities take measures to remedy this situation and guarantee the safety of local populations as well as the good management of the country’s natural resources